THE EMPIRE WRITES BACK

I’d like to correct a few of the fabrications attributed to me in Kelley’s cartoon. My “working attire” always includes a tie and socks, and I’m not even blond, as your own photo shows. I’ve never owned a monogrammed shirt.

I did not describe Lake Arrowhead as “Malibu.” Those remarks referred to a number of pleasant Inland Empire places where I’d like to live.

Ontario offers the most diverse housing in our area at affordable prices, and it is especially appealing to those of us interested in living in the “listless 19th-Century downtowns” that Kelley sniffs at. I never said I “wouldn’t live near Ontario.” I’ve been trying to get my company to move me here for years.

Koll (misspelled Cole in story) and Birtcher don’t build housing here, and I can’t imagine David Ariss doing anything in a “spiritless” manner.

WILLARD W. MORRIS

PRESIDENT, THE ONTARIO CENTER

Ontario

The writer responds: If I caricatured Morris or “sniffed” at downtown Ontario, I’m sorry for both. Morris was wearing no tie when I went to his office, and he did pinpoint Lake Arrowhead as the one inland place he wanted to live in and as “the future Malibu of the Inland Empire.” On other matters: What I assumed were Morris’ initials on his shirt apparently was a designer insignia, and though I was told that the Koll and Birtcher companies built in the area, that apparently is not the case. However, the William Lyon Co., which does build there, was misidentified.